Thyroxin as Sensitizing Agent in Production of Renal and Cardiovascular Lesions with Corticoids. ∗

Abstract

Summary

In rats, conditioned by unilateral nephrectomy and a high NaCl-intake, 12 days of treatment with comparatively small doses of desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) and cortisol acetate (COLA) causes only very mild renal and cardiac lesions, which result in no detectable fluid-accumulation or mortality. Concurrent administration of thyroxin greatly aggravates the cardiac and renal lesions; at the same time it produces pronounced fluid-accumulations in the peritoneum, pleura and subcutaneous tissues, with multiple hemorrhages, nervous disturbances and a high mortality. The syndrome is regarded as essentially similar to that previously produced by other investigators through combined treatment with DOCA and renin. The ability of thyroxin to produce cardiac and renal damage under these conditions—unlike the comparable effects of STH—is not prevented by adrenalectomy.